About This Blog

New Yorkers are notorious for rushing through our streets, heads down, all too often oblivious to the beauty and history of the buildings around us. This blog aims to explore some of those buildings, from the famous landmarks to unknown gems. Hopefully your interest will be piqued, and the next time you're walking down a NY street you'll take time to stop and look up.

Friday, April 15, 2011

226 West Broadway

It's easy to rush past the plain street level facade of 226 West Broadway.

But, if you don't stop and look up, you'll miss a really great building.

The white terra-cotta building was built around 1915 (I've seen 1912 and 1918 in my research) for the FDNY's High Pressure Services headquarters.  It was later transferred to the Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. 

That explains the large central garage door (originally used for fire trucks) and the really cool water supply related ornamentation above.




At the top of the facade is a copy of the Seal of New York City.

The City put the building up for auction in 1984.  Not sure what it sold for, but 13 years later is was for sale for $3.5 Million. Even though it had some trouble selling (Madonna looked but wasn't interested), I'm sure the owner made a pretty penny.


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